How To Help
HOMEWORK: You'll probably find out most information about your child's subjects through the homework given.
Schools vary tremendously in the amount of homework they give. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has guidelines for the maximum amount of time your child should spend on homework. From the ages of nine to 11, the DfES recommends 30 minutes per day and between the ages of 11 and 13, it recommends 45 to 90 minutes per day.
Homework can be a cause of stress between you and your child. Here are some ideas to help your child get through his homework with minimum fuss and maximum benefit:
Get ready - your child will need a break between school and homework, so give him a short time to relax and have something to eat and drink before he settles back to work.
Make room - homework takes concentration and quiet, so set up a special place for study. It needs to be well lit, warm, not too noisy and have a table - work is often marked for neatness and a steady surface helps with writing and drawing. TV can be very distracting - he'll learn better if the TV is kept off during homework sessions.
Show your interest - he'll be encouraged by your attention, so long as you're not looking over his shoulder correcting his every move. Make homework rewarding - set up some treats for when homework is done. It could be an activity with you, having a friend round or some time on computer games.
Catch up on the subjects your child is studying - you'll probably remember some information from your own time at school but many subjects have changed, and it may help to get some tips from the teachers to help you learn alongside your children. Don't do the homework yourself - your child could come to rely on you for all the answers. Exams and tests
You and your child will be faced with plenty of tests and formal examinations in the years to come. Setting up a revision routine and a calm approach to exams will make these stressful times easier on both of you.